Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

Very fast growing, perennial herb. While papaya's look much like a tree, they are not, and do not develop bark characteristic of trees. The plants typically grow 10-20ft tall, but may bear when only a few feet high. Most papaya's bear male and female flowers on separate trees. There is no way of telling the sex until flowering. Some varieties are bisexual.

Hardiness

They are easily killed by freezing and even frosty temperatures, although they are subtropical, and can be kept as a container plant and in many cases, grown as an annual.

Growing Environment

Trees are not salt tolerant, and while they enjoy lots of irrigation, they are not flooding tolerant. They do well in full sun.

Propagation

By seeds.

Uses

Generally eaten raw, but also used in juices, chutneys, and various desserts.

Native Range

Native to tropical America. Grown worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas as a commercial crop. Papaya's spread easily and have become naturalized in many areas.

Additional Pictures

Related Species

Caricaceae
	Carica goudotiana Papayuelo		Carica papaya Papaya
	Carica pubescens Mountain Papaya		Carica quercifolia Oak Leaved Papaya
	Jaracatia spinosa Jaracatia